Island



8 Sheets Sheet L (No Modem P, WILCOMB. KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented May 12, 1896:

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 2.

F. WILGOMB.

KNITTING MACHINE.

' "PIN lGIAMi, WOUNDYWAS i" NGTGII DB,

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. WILGOMB. KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented May 12 1 8 SheetsSheet 4.

1N0 Model.)

P. WILOOMB. KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented May 12, 18-96 lllllllllllll w wen/Z27 \gllll 5N0 Model.) s SheetsSheet 5.

F. WILOOMB. KNITTING MACHINE No. 559,881. Patented May 12, 1896.

(BREW B.GRANAHPNOTDUINQWASMINGWNDC.

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 6. F. WILGOMB. KNITTING MACHINE.

Patented May 12, 1896.

MLPHUYO-LIWQWASMYNETGNJ (Iv 8 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

F WILGOMB KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 559,831. Patented'May 12, 1896.

(No Model.) 8 SheetsSheet 8, P. WILOOMB.

KNITTING MACHINE. No. 659,831. Patented May 12, 1896.

M WM

uwngy gamma.maro-urmqmskmcmn. ac.

FRANK ill/(NHL OF PA \VTUCKIT NARRAGANSET'I. KNIT ING PATENT Trice.

, RIIODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THld COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

KNITTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,831, dated May 12, 1896.

Ap li ati filed December 24, 1894. Serial No. 532,813. (No model.)

To (1,55 whom it may concern.-

Be known that I, FRANK Wrnconn, a citizen of the United States of America, residin at lawtncket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invent-ion. relates particularly to a machine for producing a ribbed fabric from two sets of needles and a single series of sinkers. I have shown the invention as applied to a spring-needle machine; but I do not wish to limit myself to this use, and, further, while I have shown a'flat machine it will be understood that parts of the invention are applicable to the circular type for carrying out the improved method of producing either a ribbed fabric or a plain fabric.

In. the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of the left-hand end of the machine. Fig. l is a transverse sectional view through the needlebeds and sinker-dial. Fig. 2 is a rear View of the machine. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the sinkendial and thread-carrier. Iig. 3 is a sectional plan view through the dial-shield, showing the sinker-operating cam in plan. Fig. i is a sectional detail on line a: a of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a detail sectional view through the carrier-block, and Fig. 5 a detail view of the cam for the sinkers. Fig. 6 is a sectional view across the machine on line 0 (i, Fig. 13, the needlc-bars back of the section-line being shown in section for convenience, parts being broken away for the purpose. Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of the cam-bars and needles, showing the knitting. Fig. 7 is a side view of the traveling knock-over and evener fingers. Figs. 8 to 12 show the steps in the knitting. Fig. 13 is a plan view of a section on line 13 3 of Fig. 6 with parts below the seetion-line also in section. Fig. 1i is a detail View of the cam-bar yoke and guide. Fig. 15 is a detail view of the stop mechanism.

The spring-needles 1 are operated from the front and .rear cam-bars 3 3, each having two sets of needle-cams i 5 and at 5, Fig. 7. The

two sets of cams of each bar are intended to act alternately on each reciprocation of the cam-bars, the forward set in the rear barthat is, the forward one aeeordin g to the direction I of the movement of the baraciin g with but in advance of the second set of cams in the front bar to carry on the knitting of the ribbed fabri c in connect ion with a si ngle series of sinkers l6, operated independently of each other, as will be described hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. '7 and supposing the needle-cams, in this instance carried by the sliding cam-bars, to be moving in the direction of the arrow 1 the needles of the rear row will enter the forward set of cams 4 and be forced forward independently of each other by the lifting-cam r to take the yarn, enough "being sunk by the independently-operated sinkers 16, Fig. 0, for both rows of needles. These needles are then partially retracted independently by the cam Q of the forward set of cams before the needles of the front row are advanced, as the advance movement of the rear row of needles has a tendency to drag the fabric forward into the path of the front needles. The partial retraction of the rear needles in advance of the forward movement of the front needles tends to draw the fabric away from the path of the front needles. The front needles are now advanced independently of each other by the lifting-cam 5 of the second set of cams in the front bar, the forward set of cams of this bar not acting on the front needles on this stroke, and at the limit of their forward movement these needles receive the thread from the sinkers, when the latter are retracted. The beards of the rear needles have during this time been depressed in succession by the centrally-a1.- ranged presser-wheel opposite the dwell 19 of the forward set of cams in the rear bar and have been moved in succession by the point 20 to take the old loop on the beard, Fig. 10. The rear needles now pass along the under incline surface 21 of the second set of cams in the rear bar to complete their stitch movement, Fig. 11, casting off the old loops from the ends of the needles independently of each other and then being acted upon by the incline to draw the thread taut across the stems of the needles of the front row, holding it in this position until the front necdles are retracted by the came of the second set of cams of the front bar and until the heard of the front. needle is depressed by the presser-wheel 45 at the dwell 23 of the set of cams 5, Fig. 12., beard of the front needle when retracted still farther by the point 23 While the needles of the rear row are released from their cams at 22 to move forward slightly, and the front needles are retracted to the limit'of their ing with the shield.

backward movement by the point 2% to knock the stitch over the end of the needle. On the stroke to the left the other sets of cams in the front and rear bars operate the needles, those described above not acting on this stroke. I have shown call-cams 11 and 12 and call-jacks 2 for directing the needles to the forward set of cams on each stroke of the rear bar, the said call-cams acting on the jacks alternately in each reciprocation. For instance, on the stroke described the jacks 1noving along the groove l1 will be thrown for ward by the call-cam 11 to push the needle forward and then returned to position out of line with the callcam 12.. On the other stroke the call-jacks will be thrown into the groove 12 by the call-bar 8i hereinafter described and in line with the call-cam 12; but I wish it understood that I do not limit my self to the call cams and jacks for securing the alternate action of the rear'sets of ne'edle-cams. For the front bar the two sets of cams include the two pivoted pieces 26 and 27. W hen either one of these pieces is'operated, it opens the cam-groove to the other set of needle-cams, and the needles are directed into the opened cam-groove by the central call-canrf) in the front bar. The same action takes place on each stroke, the forward set of cams in the rear bar acting with but in advance of the second set of cams in the front bar. These pivoted pieces are returned to normal position against their stoppins 26 27 by springs, one of which is shown at 27".

The sinkers are carried by a traveling dial 29, fixed to an inclined shaft 30, journaled in a bearing-bracket 31, connected rigidly to the slide-bar, so that the dial will travel from end to end of the rows of needles, and in this re ciprocating movement will be rotated first one way and then the other by a gear 32, Figs. 2 and l, on the inclined shaft engaging a rack 33, fixed to the frame. The sinkers being pivoted by their hooked ends on the ring 3i will be swung forward independently between the needles when the dial brings them in succession against the relatively fixed cam-piece 35, which is supported adjustably in a bracket 30, carried by the bearingbracket 31, so as to travel with the dial and needle-cams. This cam has double inclines, and thus operates the sinkers in like manner independently on each stroke of the machine. A shield 37, having cam edges 38, covers the dial, and this is held against rotation by the rods 39, connected to the posts l0 on the slidebar yoke $1 or by a suitable bracket, as 18 Fig. 3, attached to the slide-bar and engag- The cam-piece is ad The loop isicanght by the standards 56 at the ends of the frame.

j usted by the lever 42, and the presser-whcel 43 is also carried by the bracket 36 to travel with the dial and keep pace with the knittingcams, and this also is adjustable by a lever at, but as these parts are particularly described and claimed in an application of even date herewith, Serial No. 532,812, filed by me in the United States Patent Ofiice,no further detail description is necessary herein. The front needles are pressed on one stroke by the presser-wheel 45 and on the other stroke by the presser-wheel' 45, both wheels being supported adj ustably from the shield by arms 46, held in" guides 147 and adjusted by screws as. These wheels are supported on each side of the center, so that first one and then the other will press the beards of the front needles following the action of the rear presser on the rear needles. All the parts are thus adapted to carry out the same knitting action on both strokes of the machine. The shield is held on the inclined shaft by the nut 50.

The thread-guidefil consists of a bent slotted arm through which the thread passes, the arm being carried bya block 52, Figs. 1, l,

and 3, pivoted in ears of the carrier 5i, I

supported on the guide-bar55, secured to the The thread is led to the guide-arm through the eyes 57 57 and the thread-guide is pressed into normal position to feed the rear needles by the spring-pin 58, workingi'n the boxfiil on the carrier and bearing against the stud 6O on the-pivoted block 52.

I have provided means hereinafter do scribed for throwing any desired number of needles out of action when it is desired to knit with a less number of needles than in the whole row, and the carrier is adapted to be released and arrested at the end of the active row of needles, and also for feeding first on one side of the series of sinkcrs advanced by the dial and then on the other, according to the stroke of the machine.

In Fig. 1 the dial is moving to the right and the thread-guide is feeding the rear needles in advance of the operated sinkers and toward the right of the dial, the carrier being moved along its guideway bythe springpin G1, Figs. 1, 3, and i, in the boss of the dial-shield, engaging the (log 62 on the carrier. This dog retracts transversely of the carrier when the roller 63 extending down from a second dog 72, engages the incline Ci of the releasing-piece 65, which is adjustabl y supported in the channel of the carrier-guide and fixed at any desired point by the set-screw 66, Fig. 1. The two dogs are connected, so that one operates the other by the pinion 7 3, engaging the teeth 74 and 75 in the dogs. The dog (52 is thus released from the spring-drivin g pin and-the carrier is arrested by the roller coming against the stop-shoulder 67 on the releasing-piece. The dial moves on past the carrier and guide, and to allow this the guide must be swung outward from the dial to permit the advanced sinkers to pass by, and this IOC 1 is effected by the cam-piece (i8 011 the dialshield having a V-shaped seat, into which the spur 69 on the pivoted block 52 fits, Figs. 1 and 1, so that as the cam-piece passes by the guide the inclined side of the V-shaped notch will throw the guide out away from the dial, in which position it will be held by the straight part '70, the guide passing off of the curved end of the cam-piece at 71. As the guide must always feed in advance of the sinkers which are being thrown forward, a second V-shaped notch is formed in the cam-bar to the left of the dial and the spur rests in this on the return stroke of the dial, the carrier being pushed along on the said return stroke to the left by the spring-pin engaging the second sliding dog 72 similar to that described. This dog is thrown into operative position on the stroke to the right, as above stated, when the dog 62 retracts by its roller 63 rising, as described, along the inclines Set of the stop-piece, and as this dog 72 now lies in the path of the spring-pin provision is made to allow the spring-pin to pass by the dog 72 without effect as the right-hand stroke is completed, this consisting of an incline on the under side of the dog 72, Fig. 4, to depress the spring-pin. ()n the return leftward stroke the vertical side of the dog 72 will be presented to the pin, which will thus move the carrier along, and from this it will be seen that the carrier on each stroke lies in advance of the center of the dial to feed the rear needles, which are the first to advance. The dog 62 has also an incline and the action of the parts on the stroke to the left is the same as that described above, a second releasing-piece 05 with an incline Si and stop, being adjust-ably supported on the carrier guide-bar. Leaf-springs 77 are secured to the carrier and bear on the guideway to steady the action of the carrier.

In order to insure the knocking off of the old loops, I provide traveling knock-over and cvener fingers 78 '79, a pair of these being secured to the bar 80 on each side of the dial, the knock over finger being opposite the knock-over cams of the cam-bars, while the evener-fingers are slightly in rear to place the cast-off loop in the proper position and even up the row. The knock-over finger insures the casting off of the old loops by engaging the fabric and pushing it aside, so as to draw or knock off the said loops. The bar 80 is held removably at its ends by latches S1, pivoted to the posts 40 on the cam-bar yokes and fitting in the notches S3 of the bar. The bar has inclined ends to facilitate its placing in the machine.

While I have shown the knock-over finger and evener in connection with two rows of spring-needles for producing a ribbed fabric, 1 do not wish to limit myself in this respect, nor to the combination with spring-needles, nor do I wish to limit myself to the form of knock-off device shown.

From Fig. 10 it will be noticed that the thread is laid across the stems of the rear needles first by the sinkers 16 and at such a distance from the rear needle-bed as to give room in which to depress the needle-beards; but the front needles are dependent upon the rear needles for the placing of the yarn across their stems, which therefore is effected at a point much nearer the corresponding needle-bed, leaving less room in which to depress the beards of the front needles.

In order to get sufficient room, the bed is lowered, and to avoid an excessive retraction of the front needles in casting off the old loops the knocking-off finger is employed for the front needles.

All the call-j acks are thrown into line with the call-cams of the cam-bars by the call-bars 84, carried by rocking shafts 84*, which extend from end to end ofthe machine through the bearings 85 and projecting beyond them. These call-bar shafts are rocked at the end of each stroke to throw the call-jacks in by the arms 86, secured by the sleeves 87 to the rock-shafts at each end of the machine and in front and rear, which arms are connected through the links 88, Figs. 6 and 13, and arms 89 with the rock-shafts 90, operated from the grooved cam 91 on the main shaft 92 by the arms 92 having rollers moving in the camgroove. The call-jacks,when thrown forward, are held in this position by the dogs 93, having inclined ends to bear on the inclined ends of the call-jacks, the dogs being pressed by springs 94. When back, the jacks are held by the dogs engaging notches Z). All the calljacks of the rear bar must be thrown into line with the call-cam at each action, as they are always returned to position out of line with the call-cams; but on the front bar the active call-jacks, when thrown forward in line with the call-cam, will remain in this position by reason of the arrangement of the call-cam 9, (shown in Fig. '7 the call-jacks beingheld in line with the call-cam by the spring-dogs. On the front cam-bar, therefore, it is only those calljacks of the inactive needles which are thrown in at each rocking of the call-bar.

To make the needles inactive for different widths of fabric, jack racking bars 95 are used, two at each end of the machine, ad justable in ways in the rock-shafts Si and arranged to be set at any desired point by the set-screws 9?, carried by collars fixed on the rock-shafts 84%. These jack-bars normally stand at an angle of forty-five degrees while the cam-bars are operating, and any call-jacks engaged by this jack racking bar will be held out of the path of the calleams, and although the jacks will be thrown into line by the callbar at the end of each stroke the jack racking bar will immediately return those to be rendered inactive to inactive position when the shaft rocks back to normal position, the throwing in and out of the inactive call-jacks being done while the machine is reversing its stroke and'before the call-cams begin to act. The jack racking bars are moved endwise step by step to engage or render additional IIO jacks inactive when the shafts are at the in ward limit of their movement. The releasingpieces of the carrier are adjusted along the carrier-guide to correspond with the end of the jack racking bar. The driving mechanism, Figs. 2, 6, and 13, comprises the transverse shaft 96, having a loose pulley 97 thereon controlled by a clutch 98 and a stop motion hereinafter described. A gear 99 on the shaft 96 meshes with the larger gear 100, journaled in the frame and engaging a smaller gear 101, journaled in an oscillating frame 102, which turns on the axis of the larger gear. The frame is composed of two sides secured together, between which the small gear is journaled. A pinion 103, secured to the shaft of the smaller gear outside the frame, engages a continuous rack 101, which is double-sided, with segmental ends, and is connected to a grooved cam-plate 104%, the groove of which is continuous and corresponds in form to the rack. An antifrietion-roller a on the shaft of the small gear moves in this groove and controls the rising and falling of the frame, keeping the pinion in mesh with the rack. The cam plate or rack is connected to the drive'rod 105, sliding through the brackets 105 and connected to the cam-bars, and the rotation of the large gear continued in one direction will turn the small gear and pinion, causing the rack to be reciproeated and with it the drive-rod and cam-bars, the pinion engaging first one side of the rack and then the other.

The drive-rod is pivotallyconnected to the oscillating segment-lever 106, having a pin in its upper end engaging a fork 107, depending from the yoke of the cam-bar, and its lower end provided with a segmental rack 108, meshing with a rack 10) on the frame of the machine. As the drive-rod reciproeates the segmental rack will travel back and forth over the stationary rack, and as its fulcrumpoint is thus constantly following the movement of the drive-rod a multiplied and sub stantially uniform motion will be imparted to the cam-bar. The cam-bars are connected by yokes 41 and these yokes move on the guide-rods 111, projecting from the ends of the machine. The clutch comprises the loose shifting-pulley, the frictiondisk 98, secured on the transverse shaft, and the means for shifting the pulley, consisting of the lever 113, pivoted to the arm 11% on the frame and having studs entering the groove 1.1.5 of the pulley-hub, the bar 116, connected to the lever and sliding in a box 117 on the frame and having a pin 11S, entering a cam-slot in the plate 119, which is operated in the box by the shipper-rod 120, connected to the arm 122, journaled on the pin 123, Fig. 1, support-ed by the bracket 12-h A catch 125, pivoted to the stud 120 of the bracket, engages a pin on the arm 127, which is connected to the arm 122 to move therewith. The catch engages throw in the clutch and thus holds the same in action. For releasing this catch automatically, and thus stopping the machine, a timing-chain 128, carried by the tooth-wheel 129, is operated step by step to bring the stud on the chain to engage the inclined tooth 131 of the plate 132 and thus lift the same and with it the lever 133, connected thereto and pivoted loosely in the pin 123, so that a pin 13st on the lever will lift the catch 125 and thus release the shipper-rod, which is then operated by the spring 126 Fig. 1, to release the clutch. The lever 133 has a handle and may thus be operated at anytime to stop the machine. The chain-wheel turns loosely on the shaft 135, Figs. 1 and 2, extending transversely of the frame and driven from the shaft 92 by the beveled gears 137 and 138, and the chain-wheel is operated step by step from the shaft through the disk 139, fixed thereon, carrying a pin 14.0, which at each revolution moves the slotted wheel 14-1 one step. This wheel is journaled on a pin 14:2 of the frame and has a sleeve carrying a pin ion 143, meshing with the gear-wheel 1H, secured to the chain-wheel, so that at the end of each stroke the chain is advanced one step.

The main shaft 92 is driven from the transverse shaft 96 through bevel-gears 118 119 and the gear and pinion 151.

I am aware that it is old to produce ribbed fabrics on two rows of bearded needles with independently-operated sinkersas, for instance, in the Tiffany machine shown in United States Patent No. 28,133; but in ma chines of this type the needles of each row are all operated simultaneously, the yarn being fed to one entire row of needles, which in turn draw the thread across the stems of the needles of the second row and each row knocking over its stitches independently of the other row and the sinkers being retracted after sinking the thread altogether and at one operation.

One of the serious objections to this type of machine is'that the machine is slow in operation, in consequence of operating the rows of needles backward and forward while the thread-feeding mechanism is idle at either end of the stroke, and I am also aware that machines have been constructed with two rows of spring-needles, one row being fixed and the needles of the other row being independently operated to produce a ribbed fabric and in which the knocking over of the stitches is perform ed simultaneously with the feeding of the thread to other needles of the same row, this being effected by working the fabric forward and back on a stationary nee dle; but this method is only applicable to circular machines knitting in one direction only. It is also old to knit ribbed fabrics with two sets of latch-needles, the needles of each set working independently of each other and independent of the other row, but machines of this type cannot produce the quality of fabric or fineness of gage that can be produced on machines of the spring-needle type. I have aimed to produce a machine of the springneedle type having all the excellent qualities of both types of machines and capable of producing the fabric at a greatly-increased speed and consequently lower cost than has been possible heretofore; and, further, I aim to produce such a machine as will allow of automatic fashioning of the fabric simultaneously with the knitting, which has heretofore never been accomplished in machines of the spring-needle type.

I claim 1. In combination in a knitting-machine, the two sets of spring-needles, a single series of sinkcrs, means for advancing and retracting the needles of each set independently of each other and means for operating the sinkers independently of each other, to sink enough yarn on one set of needles for both sets and the presser-wheels for the two rows of needles to act on the needles of each set independently and successively.

2. In combination in a knitting-machine, the two sets of needles, the sinkcrs and the cam-bars for the needles having each two sets of knitting-cams, the cams of each set being arranged to act alternately on each reciprocation of the cam-bars, substantially as described.

3. In combination in a knitting-machine, the two sets of sliding spring-needles, the

sinkers and the front and rear cam-bars havin g two sets of knitting-cams, means for causing the needles to advance along the liftingcam of the first set of cams of the rear bar to receive the yarn, and along the under surface of the second set of lifting-cams of the rear bar to lay the yarn across the stems of the needles of the front row and to cast off the stitches of the rear row, and means to direct the needles of the front row along the liftingcam of the second set of cams in the front bar and. for retracting the needles to cast off their loops after the needles of the rear row have completed their knitting movement, substantially as described.

at. In combination in a rib-knitting machine, with two sets of spring-needles, the cam-bars therefor each having two sets of cams, comprising the cam-surfaces for advancing and partially retracting the needles of the rear row on each stroke in advance of the forward movement of the front needles, and cam-surfaces completing the retraction of the said rear needles in advance of the complete retraction of the needles of the front row, substantially as described.

5. In combination in a knitting-machine, the two sets of needles, the sinkers, the cambars, the two sets of needle-cams, and the call-jacks and call-cams for causing the cams of each set to act alternately for knitting on each reciprocation of the cam-bars, substantially as described.

(3. In combination the needles, and the cambars each having two sets of cams, those of the front bar inclndin g the pivoted pieces adapted to open the needle-path at the center of the sets of cams, the means for operating the said pivoted pieces, comprising the calljacks and call'cam for directing the needles into the opened cam-path, substantially as described.

7. In combination in a knitting-machine, the needles, the sinkers, the cam-bars having two sets of cams, those of the front bar including the pivoted pieces, the call-jacks and central call-cam for the front bar and the pair of call-cams and call-jacks for the rear bar, substantially as described.

8. In combination in a knitting-machine, the needles, the knitting-cams, the call-jacks, the call-cam and detent means for holding the jacks in either forward or backward position, substantially as described.

9. In combination, in a knitting-machine, the needles, the stitch-cam, the jack having the notch and the inclined end and theholding-dog adapted to engage the inclines to hold the jack in either position, substantially as described.

10. In combination with the two sets of spring-needles, the single series of sinkers, the means for operating the sinkers, the single presser-wheel for one row of needles, the two presser-wheels, for the second row of necdles, and the cams in the cam-bars adapted. to operate the needles of the second row after those of the first row, substantially as described.

11. In combination, in a knitting-machine, the independently-operated needles, the neodle-cams, the sinkers, the rotary dial and means for operating the sinkers, the threadguide and carrier and a detachable driving connection for the carrier arranged to shift the same to locate the guide in advance of the sinkers and of the needle-cams and means for releasing the said connection, substantially as described.

12. In combination in a knitting-machine, the independently-operated needles, the neodle-cams, the sinkers with means for operating them independen tly, the thread guide carrier, the thread-guide arranged to move to and from its point of work, a detachable driving connection, operating means therefor and means for retracting the thread-guide from its point of work to permit the sinkcrs to pass, substantially as described.

13. In combination in a knitting-machine, the independent]y-operated needles, the needle-cams, the sinkers with operating means therefor, the thread-carrier, the thread-guide having movement thereon to and from the point of work, the detachable driving connections for the carrier adapted to shift and drive it in advance of the sinkers on each stroke, and means for retracting the thread-guide to allow the sinkers to pass and for returning the guide to the working point on the opposite side of the sinkers, substantially as described.

ll. In combination, the needles, the cams therefor, the thread-carrier and guideway,

the thread-guide on the carrier, the two sliding dogs arranged to movetransversely of the carrier, the projections on the dogs extending into the guideway and the inclines on the guideway for operating the dogs through the said projections.

15. In combination, the needles, the cams, the thread-carrier, the guideway therefor, the thread-guide, the driving means comprising the spring-pin, the two dogs on the carrier and the means for operating the dogs reversely,

' said. sprin g-pin being arranged to pass by one of the dogs on each stroke, substantially as described.

16. In combination the needles, the cams, the thread-carrier, the guideway, the driving means, the two sliding dogs movable transversely of the carrier to engage the same, the said dogs having rack teeth and the intermediate pinion engaging the racks and the means for operating one of the dogs on each stroke, including the inclines on the guideway and theprojections on the sliding dogs to engage the same substantially as described.

17. In combination, the needles, the cams, the series of sinkers with operating means therefor, the shifting thread carrier, the

guideway therefor, the driving means for the th read-carrier, the thread-guide pivoted to the carrier and the cam-bar having the inclines and adapted to engage and retract the threadguide to pass the sinkcrs, substantially as described. I

- 18. In combination, the call-bar extending lengthwise of the needle-row, the racking bar also extending lengthwise thereof and means for operating the bars, substantially as described.

19. In combination the needles, the cams, the sinkers, the traveling dial, means for rotating the same and means for operating the sinkers, the non-rotating shield, the thread carrier, the guide therefor, the detachable connection between the carrier and the shield, the pivoted thread-guide and the cam-bar on the shield for operating the thread-guide, substantially as described.

20. In combination, the knitting-needles, their cams and the traveling knock-over device moving transversely of the needles, and acting on the under side of the fabric and under the needles as the same are retracted to cast off the stitches, substantially as described.

21. In combination the needles, their cams,

bar, the knock-off finger movable transversely of and below the needles, the bar carrying the same, and the detachable connection between the same and the can1bar, substantially as described.

24:. In combination with two needle-beds and two sets of needles, one bed being in a lower plane than the other, means for operating the needles to produce a ribbed fabric, and a traveling knock-over finger and means for operating the same to act in conjunction with the needles of the lower bed, substantially as described.

25. In combination with the needles operating independently of each other, the movable knock-oif means arranged below the needles, to move the fabric from the ends of the needles to aid in the knocking-off action, said knock-off means operating below the fabric and in conjunction with the retracted needles, substantially as described.

26. In combination the needles, their cams, the call-jacks and their cams, the rocking call-bar for throwing the needles into action through their jacks, and the means for operating the bar comprising the arms, the links, the cam on the main shaft and the rock-shaft operated thereby and connected to the links, substantially as described. I

27. In combination in aknitting-machine,

the needles, the call-jacks, the needle-cam,

the call-cam, and the call-bar for throwing the needles into action through the call-jacks, substantially as described.

28. In combination the needles, the needlecain, the call-jacks and the jack racking bar with means for operating the same to retract the call-jacks, substantially as described.

29. In combination the needles, their cams, the rocbshaft, the call-bar carried thereby for throwing the needles into action and the racking bar also carried by the rock-shaft, substantially as described.

30. In combination the needles, their cams, the call-jacks and call-cam, the jack racking bar extending lengthwise of the machine, and

.means for reciprocating the racking bar laterally to throw the call-jacks out of action, substantially as described.

31. In combination, in a knitting-machine, the needles, their sliding cams, and the driving mechanism therefor comprising a drivegear with means for operating it, the transmitting-gearmeshing therewith and arranged to oscillate, the pinion carried on the axis of the oscillating gear, the reciprocating continuous rack meshing with the pinion the camtrack, the projection engaging the same and controlling the oscillation of the transmitting-gear and the connection from the reciprocating rack to the sliding cams, substantially as described.

32. In combination in a knitting-machine, the needles, the sliding cams and the driving mechanism comprising the drive-gear with operating means therefor, the oscillating frame journaled on the axis of the drive-gear, the transmitting-gear journaled in said frame, the pinion on the axis of the said transmitting-gear, the continuous rack, the cam-track, the roller on the axis of the pinion engaging therewith and the drive-rod connected with the slide-bars and connected to the continuous rack, substantially as described.

In combination in a knitting-machine, the needles, the sliding cams, the drive-rod, the driving mechanism for the same for imparting a uniform. movement thereto and a multiplying-lever connected to the sliding cams and drive-rod and having a shifting- "fulcrum to impart a uniform motion to the sliding cams and moving parallel with the FRANK WILCOMB. lVitnesses:

GEORGE O. EVERETT, DANIEL MCNIVEN. 

